2 Weeks Ahead Surprise

Sumter woman surprised by solider husband on ‘Anderson'

Gratz

When Anne Rowland Gratz started putting together care packages to send to her husband and his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, she never knew her compassion would earn her a trip to New York City and an appearance on Anderson Cooper's daytime TV show. She also didn't expect to see her husband, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Luke Gratz, any time before his two weeks of leave in January.

Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 1:53 pm

By Nick McCormac nmccormac@theitem.com

When Anne Rowland Gratz started putting together care packages to send to her husband and his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan, she never knew her compassion would earn her a trip to New York City and an appearance on Anderson Cooper's daytime TV show.

She also didn't expect to see her husband, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Luke Gratz, any time before his two weeks of leave in January.

But during the taping of "Anderson," which will air 2 p.m. Wednesday on NBC, Gratz's hard work was rewarded with a surprise return home from her husband.

To find out how Gratz and her husband ended up on the show, see Wednesday's edition of The Item.